THE IDEAS OF EVOLUTION AND NATURAL SELECTION IN CHINESE AND ISLAMIC PHILOSOPHY AND SCIENCE

Abstract

When the ideas on evolution and natural selection are discussed, the historians’ of science attention is usually focused on European philosophy and science. Therefore, it is rarely known that these ideas, or their indications can be found among the Chinese and Islamic scientists and philosophers. In this paper, we present the most relevant ideas among these, together with the analysis of whether they represent an anticipation or an adumbration of Darwin’s ideas. In China, the most important ideas concering these issues belong to Li Tzu and Zhuang Tze (Zhuangzi), while al-Jahiz, the Brethren of Purity, Ibn Miskawayh, al-Biruni, al-Tusi, al-Din Rumi and Ibn Khaldun are the most relevant among the Islamic thinkers.